Marie's Sunday Message - February 5th, 2023

I saw this poster for the remastered release of Titanic while at the movies this week. But look!! It seems like Kate Winslet has two different hairdos! One side of her hair is up and the other side’s down! I’ve seen that poster many times over the last 25 years, but I’ve never noticed that before!

Later that night, I was continuing my study of the New Testament. Suddenly, I saw the story I was reading very differently. It’s the story of some very clever people in the book of Mark. I’m sure you know it, but I’ll reiterate it quickly.

They knew the Savior could heal their friend who had palsy. After unsuccessfully getting through the large crowd surrounding the house where the Savior was, they decided to go up to the roof and lower their friend’s bed down to Jesus. Ingenious, right?!! Well, I’ve read this story for years, and all of a sudden, it took on a whole different emphasis. This time, I noticed what the Savior did next. He said, “your sins are forgiven,” and THEN he healed the friend with palsy.

I saw a pattern I hadn’t seen up till now. Before the man with palsy could be healed, the Savior forgave his sins so he was a clean vessel to receive Christ's gift. This realization came to my mind – if I want healing to happen in my life—emotionally, physically, spiritually, or whatever—I need to be full of forgiveness. Suddenly Matthew 5:43-45 Took on a much deeper meaning to me!

One of the many lessons I learned from my dear friend Olivia Newton-John was how forgiveness plays a big part in the healing of our bodies. Gratitude and forgiveness were just a part of her daily regime. We’ve all been hurt by others before, but by not holding on to that kind of dark baggage, we give room for light and love to enter in and fill our souls. Olivia would say, “If anger is in you, it will manifest as illness. So it really is beneficial for us to let things go no matter how difficult. It really is a choice.” Can you imagine if we all did this? No more road rage! 😂

I know we have all suffered heartaches and terrible wrongs. Sometimes, forgiveness seems impossible.

But….actually, it isn’t.

I have learned the first thing you do is identify it. That darling sage of simple reasoning…Mr. Rodgers said, “If you can mention it, you can manage it.” So our first step to forgiveness is humbly taking it to the Lord. Talk to Him for hours if needed; just take it to Him and talk. Prayer is real. It’s our cell phone to God. Now here’s where it becomes interesting!!

With our Savior's help, we can place any hurt in the past. After all, we cannot do anything to change it. So, we “let go and let God.” It's the only way this kind of miracle can happen. God, our Father, is our judge, not us. The only way to find peace is to leave things in the past and look forward to a Happy future 🥰

My parents taught us as children that forgiving is essential to gain entrance into the kingdom of God. As a little girl, that seemed doable. As an adult, it becomes more difficult, right? 😂

The Lord’s pattern in Mark was to forgive and then be healed. Carrying these burdens around creates bitterness, hate, unhappiness, and anger. These feelings get in the way of our personal growth and healing. So today, let’s all remember Mr. Rogers and keep repeating, “If it’s mentionable, it’s manageable! Then give it to our Savior, who atoned not only for sins but for the pains and sorrows He knew we would go through in this life. He did it all for us. All we have to do is give it to Him.

I love you all!

#SundayMessage

Matthew 5

43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine, enemy.

44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

Here are the next few weeks of the reading schedule I am following for those that have joined me:

  • February 6-12: John 2-4

  • February 13-19: Matthew 5; Luke 6

  • February 20-26: Matthew  6-7

  • February 27-March 5: Matthew 8; Mark 2-4; Luke 7

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